Review Summary: Another case of disillusioned hype...
1 of 10 thought this review was well writtenI bought this record after seeing it being hyped on various forums and by various reviewers as a 'beautiful black metal shoegazing' album (admittedly i was rather put off by the shoegazing aspect, but nonetheless...). However when i actually listened to it, i found it to be a major disappointment; yes, the harmonies were pleasant, but it's tedious and repetitive compositional ideas made my excitement with the album rather ephemeral.
The two-part title track is really the centre piece of the album, and incorporates much of what is to be expected in the rest of the album. The guitar repeated play fast tremolo strummed chords, and sparse broken chords interchangeably; this proves to be the only variety in the album worth noting, besides maybe the occasional switch to shriek-style vocals. The vocals are pleasant enough, however i wish they were more like his vocals in
Lantlos; in this album they simply fit comfortably in the mix, without showing any dynamics or character. The last aspect of the track, and this is true of most of the album too, is the drums; they are simply bland.
The second track was rather forgettable, and is by far the weakest track on the album. The guitars are relentlessly tedious as per usual for this album, but i quite liked the melody line towards the end i must say.
Then after this follows a one and a half minute 'filler' track. Right... Next...
Now we come onto 'Solar Song', the only track i really like on the album. The melody is original, the vocals sound beautiful and the repetitive tremolo strummed guitars actually suit this piece; it builds gradually, and overall has a rather majestic feel. This track may be the only reason i kept this album in my collection.
The not-so-grand finale of the album is yet again a rather dull song. It is possibly the most gentle track on the album; it has a repetitive chord sequence played with quaver notes on the guitar, however the vocals hear do standout somewhat. The track never really goes anywhere and proves to be a sedate and boring conclusion to a sedate and boring album.
Emotion with deliverance; Melody without beauty. This album may be somewhat original within the black metal scene, but that doesn't make it good. However due to this slight difference that makes them stand out somewhat they have rapidly become overrated, and this album follows in the footsteps of that superficial hype.
